Combined dynamic contrast-enhanced liver MRI and MRA using interleaved variable density sampling

PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate a method for volumetric contrast-enhanced MRI of the liver, with high spatial and temporal resolutions, for combined dynamic imaging and MR angiography (MRA) using a single injection of contrast agent.

METHODS: An interleaved variable density (IVD) undersampling pattern was implemented in combination with a real-time-triggered, time-resolved, dual-echo 3D spoiled gradient echo sequence. Parallel imaging autocalibration lines were acquired only once during the first time frame. Imaging was performed in 10 subjects with focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and compared with their clinical MRI. The angiographic phase of the proposed method was compared with a dedicated MR angiogram acquired during a second injection of contrast.

RESULTS: A total of 21 FNH, three cavernous hemangiomas, and 109 arterial segments were visualized in 10 subjects. The temporally resolved images depicted the characteristic arterial enhancement pattern of the lesions with a 4-s update rate. Images were graded as having significantly higher quality compared with the clinical MRI. Angiograms produced from the IVD method provided noninferior diagnostic assessment compared with the dedicated MR angiogram.

CONCLUSION: Using an undersampled IVD imaging method, we have demonstrated the feasibility of obtaining high spatial and temporal resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging and simultaneous MRA of the liver.